2nd T20I
Hayley Matthews explosive knock has guided the West Indies team to level the series
India scored 159/9 in 20 overs, where as West Indies scored 160/1 in 15.4 overs.
So, finally West Indies beat India by 9 wickets.
A brilliant unbeaten 85 from skipper Hayley Matthews propelled West Indies to a dominant nine-wicket victory over India in the second T20I, leveling the series.
Chasing 160, West Indies cruised to their target with 26 balls to spare.
Unlike the first game, India struggled to set a challenging total.
Uma Chetry was dismissed early, and Jemimah Rodrigues, who had starred in the previous match, found herself in trouble with a scratchy start.
Smriti Mandhana struck two boundaries in the fifth over to lift India’s run rate past six, but Matthews responded by trapping Rodrigues lbw in the final over of the powerplay.
Debutant Raghvi Bist also fell quickly, leaving India at 48/3.
Mandhana, though under pressure, continued to push India’s scoring rate, benefiting from a couple of dropped chances.
With Harmanpreet Kaur sidelined due to injury, Mandhana found a solid partner in Deepti Sharma, and together they stemmed the rot.
The 13th over saw India hit four boundaries off Ashmini Munisar, and Mandhana launched into Matthews, hitting a four and a six off consecutive deliveries.
However, Matthews got her revenge, and India’s progress slowed.
Mandhana’s dismissal was a key moment, as West Indies tightened their grip.
Deepti couldn’t capitalize on her start, and the lower order faltered.
Richa Ghosh was the only one to make an impact, hitting six boundaries to push India past 150.
But it was clear the total would not be enough.
In reply, Qiana Joseph led the charge for West Indies with three fours and a six off Titas Sadhu, and Matthews followed up with consecutive boundaries off Renuka Thakur.
The assault continued as Matthews and Joseph plundered 65 runs in the powerplay.
Saima Thakor’s brief relief came when Joseph top-edged a delivery, but after her dismissal, Matthews took complete control.
Shemaine Campbelle supported Matthews with a flurry of boundaries, and West Indies had already knocked off 94 runs by the halfway point.
With the game all but decided, Matthews hammered Radha Yadav for four consecutive boundaries to reach fifty, before taking Thakor for three more in a row.
India’s hopes were dashed as West Indies completed their chase in the 16th over, sealing a resounding victory.
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